President Ramsey offers resignation/retirement to Governor -- SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

PRESIDENT RAMSEY A HUGE SUPPORTER OF UOFL WOMEN'S SPORTS

When the news broke yesterday that UofL President James Ramsey had offered his resignation/retirement to Kntucky governor Matt Bevin...after Bevin had disbanded the board of trustees at UofL...my first thoughts went to the James Ramsey I got to know over the many years at Louisville and before.

You see, the Ramsey's lived around the block from me when I was a kid. They never minded you running through their front yard. James is several years older than I, so us kids didn't see much of him...but his mom would always buy Scout-O-Rama tickets from the assortment of Cub Scouts that would make the trek to the front door. Later on in his life, the Boy Scouts would award him the prestigious Silver Beaver Award. 

James was a Fern Creeker back in those days. Went to Fern Creek High School with my older brother. Later on, he would be enshrined in the Fern Creek Hall of Fame. Some of the times I've spoken with him, he'd reflect on Fern Creek Road and the neighbors back in those days...almost wistfully. Those good ol' days in a sleepy suburb of Louisville. Fern Creek. One stop-light, two drugstores and a feed and hardware store. 

They say you can never go home again...but he never really left the hearts and minds of many Fern Creekers. You could point to him and say with pride...'that's one of our guys'. 

Local.

Dr. Ramsey is also a huge UofL women's sports fan. I picture him at Ulmer Stadium, there with Jane, his wife. Sitting in the bleachers...always ready to cheer. Willing to turn his ballcap into 'rally mode' if needed. You could find them in the KFC YUM! Center (and before that in Freedom Hall) sitting near half-court. Cheering on Angel, Tia, Shoni...Sara.

Sports weren't the reason that Ramsey has offered to sit down and the sports program will not suffer without him.... with Tom Jurich sitting in that A.D. chair. But...one of the women's sports program's biggest fans would be greatly missed and I hope he and Jane still attend games and events. 

If that happens...

Ramsey's resignation/retirement offer could be turned down. Probably unlikely, but a possibility. Yes, the words 'dysfunctional', 'an academic nightmare', 'situation out of control', 'golden parachutes', and 'non-disclosure agreements' were symptomatic with the Ramsey reign over the past 3-4 years...but when you take a look at the whole body of work during President Jim Ramsey's time at Louisville the good things that were accomplished while he was president far out-weight the questionable and disgruntling. 

Yeah, the sombreros were a mistake. The new center of Academics coming to Floyd Street is not. The growth of the UofL Campus in his 14 years is evident. 

Some media will bash James Ramsey. And Matt Bevin. I'll just be content with remembering the James Ramsey I knew from softball banquets and chats in the KFC YUM! Center hallway. I'll wonder if Bevin actually has the authority to fire an entire board of trustees. And watch the legal and political circus take over center stage. 

James Ramsey supported UofL women's sports. That's good enough for me...he gave Tom Jurich full reign and said...'give it your best'. And, to paraphrase an old song...written by Hazel Miller back in 1982..."look what we can do Louisville."

LINK TO SONG: LOOK WHAT WE CAN DO, LOUISVILLE!  

___________________________________________________

We'll be back on the radio this morning for another exciting edition of The Cardinal Couple Radio Hour at 11 a.m. on WCHQ 100,9 and on the internet and at www.crescenthillradio.com

Join Worldwide Jeff McAdams and I for the Justine Sowry Interview, a quiz, Ramsey discussion and the joy and excitement of UofL women's sports. 

LINK: https://soundcloud.com/chradio/cardinal-couple-20160618

And, be sure to stay on WCHQ 100.9 for HANDICAPPING HEROES...a look at local Thoroughbred horse racing at Churchill Downs. Hosted by Paulie and featuring noted handicappers Scott Harris and Archie Karel. 

These guys have been on fire lately and providing some great winners. Hey, they're handing out advice...at no charge...to make you money. Listen, learn and profit. 

paulie
xxxxx